[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6384319,"mediaKeyId","2122740-26501fe5c5a46b6bcfa17a6582ae9a15","parentId",2122740,"title","Traffic Safety Commission reports record‑high recent fatalities, unveils Target Zero update and pilots to boost enforcement and interlock use","audioSeconds",2088,"startMs",1375625,"endMs",3464019,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122740-26501fe5c5a46b6bcfa17a6582ae9a15&start=1375&end=3464","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122740-26501fe5c5a46b6bcfa17a6582ae9a15/thumbnail_1375625.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6384319/Washington/Traffic-Safety-Commission-reports-recordhigh-recent-fatalities-unveils-Target-Zero-update-and-pilots-to-boost-enforcement-and-interlock-use","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384319-565e9b3dd27b40466ba9a9d71908269e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161837&Signature=eoGqhpT1E9JFWt-JCD5HBpvoS4eRQ9-3scwp030D2YgYmfvBmYxU7XK7NtPw2wEyR-brxzeTDsvBTX9vBFze2K6lYJFQwOfw-Q2sid-xP2LUDw-md0drSCiyjSYOKE4Og6U~pQw-6zBng6qbm2yrZhkCHF1xzLFD9j8jgNbCU~IBY5DzLFfNYf~iXZpgibSOWIJeERJge2QweHG6qbCcuu0S4JvPxl-oc4s1TVCbWoj6I7s1M4VL~cNkPGVdkt1bU6Aq7pKkoZZkuDgtwaoqQf~H4OONVq091cMH3IglS~fUWtO~UASaRfE6HQ8fOQrcqqdaJbaGBDf04K2Sj9MrDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Transportation","date","2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","article","Shelley Baldwin, acting director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), told the Transportation Committee the commission updated its statewide strategic highway safety plan, Target Zero, and presented data showing a troubling rise in fatalities and risk behaviors.

Baldwin and Mark McKechnie, the commission’s external relations director, said final 2023 data show 809 fatalities and that Washington exceeded the national fatality rate in 2023 for the first time since 1980. Baldwin said the increase from 2019 to 2023 and the 10‑year upward trend in several measures require a systemic response.

Impairment, speeding and young drivers

- Impairment: the presenters said impaired driving was involved in more than half of 2023 fatalities and that alcohol remains the most common substance (61% of impaired drivers had alcohol; about 25% of alcohol‑positive drivers also tested positive for delta‑9 THC). The commission reported an 80% increase in fatalities involving an impaired driver over 10 years.

- Speeding and norms: a statewide survey of more than 21,000 respondents found about 70% of drivers admitted driving 10 or more miles per hour above the limit at least once in the last 30 days; the presenters said this suggests speeding has become more normalized.

- Young drivers: fatalities in crashes that involved drivers ages 15–24 rose about 74% over the last decade; the presenters cautioned that “involved in” does not necessarily mean the young driver was at fault or the deceased party.

Target Zero update and priorities

The commission said it rewrote Target Zero using a safe‑system approach that places equity at the center and organizes work around safer people, vehicles, speeds, roads and post‑crash care. Baldwin said equity engagement included months of community input and that certain populations — notably American Indian/Alaska Native communities — have per‑population fatality rates roughly four times higher than other groups.

Proviso-funded actions and pilots

- Tribal grants: WTSC used 2024 supplemental proviso funds to grant equipment and planning support to tribal governments, including portable breath testing devices, LIDAR speed detection and other basic safety gear where local departments identified needs.

- High‑visibility enforcement (HVE): state funds filled gaps for federal HVE patrols during summer operations. WTSC reported 333 shifts supported by proviso funds that produced 184 DUI arrests and many speeding infractions; about 40% of recorded infractions were for speeding.

- Yakima ignition interlock pilot: WTSC said Washington’s ignition interlock law is strong, but only about 30% (by WTSC’s comparison of convictions to active interlocks) of people convicted of DUI appear to have an active interlock. WTSC is piloting a court‑level project in Yakima to identify barriers to installation and relicensing so more eligible people can receive interlock licenses. The pilot examines court orders, probation practices, affidavits of non‑driving and how to remedy administrative obstacles to relicensure.

Operational constraints and data gaps

Presenters cautioned that WTSC is a small agency (about 30 staff) and nearly 80% federally funded, so its ability to fill large operational holes is limited. Committee members raised related concerns: the State Patrol reported a backlog of toxicology kits (about 16,000 kits overall, with ~14,000 for DUI testing) and long processing delays; WTSC said it has provided federal grants for lab capacity but cannot fully solve the backlog itself.

What the commission recommended

Baldwin and McKechnie described Target Zero priorities, continued investment in enforcement and community engagement, and recommended translating pilot findings (especially the interlock pilot) into broader strategies to increase compliance and reduce fatal crashes. The commission said it will continue reporting results from proviso-funded pilots and tribal grants to the committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation - 1/16/2025 4:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reported 809 traffic fatalities in 2023 and described a Target Zero safe‑system update focused on impairment, speeding and equity. The commission outlined use of 2024 proviso funds for tribal grants, high‑visibility enforcement shifts and an ignition interlock pilot in Yakima to close compliance gaps.","taxTitle","Transportation, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20272,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6384324,"State study urges phased expansion of driver education, funding to fix ‘driver education deserts’",650,1921,652875,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122740-26501fe5c5a46b6bcfa17a6582ae9a15&start=1&end=652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122740-26501fe5c5a46b6bcfa17a6582ae9a15/thumbnail_1921.jpg","/articles/6384324/Washington/State-study-urges-phased-expansion-of-driver-education-funding-to-fix-driver-education-deserts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384324-5e87b3b1f701e89c359b6c5db3b78202/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161837&Signature=Mt-W5ct~No6mTLEvRqQ8aGG553hH~mlFW1bm5BsDYHK6EhYsmIQj8DhNx0ZfWSdm5kFDy4Zu-Wro~GL8Kje3mH~SmR9jPlbiLhpxlMg9kwjT5bQuyoUAkem4r-kGNx3tYGbZNBV2sTBby~GEfQv1VBX3BYiMThTjk5uZlgZ3XnsCM4gW-y9AqEmfwoKgOQdKffyjia6O5ZRzIpBbP1-4bod6aEqrZbsWdykJm5omqq5FV-ILBiB2Mj1slOp2N5OhT-nKf0AMNXcoqbML149jbM6367jwzJA8stRCfJI7iE4B~nlmM4gEfdvN2tV1XKRlGaVsRosBa06hgTz9kRtu1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A presenter for the Washington State Department of Licensing told the Transportation Committee that Washington should phase any expansion of mandatory driver education and invest first in access, instructors and affordability before raising the age of required instruction.

The presenter summarized Washington State University research finding that expanding the driver education requirement through age 24 would require a 60% growth in the driver education industry — more schools, instructors, vehicles and facilities — and said the state’s public and private infrastructure cannot support that expansion immediately. “If we were to increase the driver education requirement through the age of age 24, we would require a industry growth within the driver education industry of 60%,” the presenter said.

Committee members were told the plan prioritizes improving quality and availability for learners under 18, then building capacity so older novice drivers could be included later. The presenter said the committee should aim to get more people into driver education while they still benefit from graduated driver licensing, and to “lay the groundwork for expanding and creating an environment where those individuals over the age of 18 can benefit from the program.”

Why it matters: committee members heard that young drivers remain a significant safety concern and that access is uneven. The presenter cited geography and instructor availability as distinct problems: a nearby school does not guarantee seats because some areas lack instructors or programs able to meet demand.

Key proposals and findings

- Three stated goals: support the existing instructor workforce (training, certification pathways and ongoing support); expand access and affordability (scholarships, awareness, varied delivery methods); and improve diversity and inclusion among instructors and programs.

- A five-phase implementation approach would first “establish the foundation,” expand capacity, run pilots and only incrementally raise the required participation age after the industry grows (the presenter said a 40% industry growth could support expansion to ages 18–21, with the final step to 21–24 requiring about 60% growth).

- Instructor certification: current statute requires at least 100 hours of theory and practicum training to be a certified instructor. The presenter said a pilot will test a 10-week blended (synchronous/asynchronous) program plus behind-the-wheel practice to shorten time-to-certification and expand training capacity.

- Cost and student capacity: the presenter said the current average cost of driver education in Washington is about $625. “For about every $1,000,000 that's allocated to driver education, that would allow the department to potentially fund 1,600 students full cost of driver education,” the presenter said. The pilot model aims to reach roughly three times the number of students at about one-third the per‑student cost by using online, coach-supported theory and performance dashboards for students, coaches and educators.

- Program design: proposals include Department of Licensing (DOL) online instructor-led, self‑paced theory training for learners and their coaches (parents/mentors), performance dashboards, scholarships or grants targeted to highest‑need communities, and efforts to expand driver education offerings in high schools (through CTE or life‑skills courses) working with OSPI.

- Regulatory alignment and capacity: the presentation noted a reliance on out‑of‑state instructor training (Western Oregon University) and said Washington should expand in‑state certification options and align RCWs that touch education and licensing to remove barriers between public and private delivery.

Committee response and next steps

Several committee members asked for details on timelines, how to accelerate teacher certification, and whether appropriations could start micro‑grant pilots in schools; the presenter recommended targeted appropriations to seed programs and to support “driver education desert” pilots. Representative Klicker and others described rural constituents’ need for local access and offered to work on appropriations.

The presenter cautioned the committee not to mandate wider age requirements until capacity and access are demonstrably expanded by the phases and pilots described.","A presenter summarizing Washington State University research told the Transportation Committee that expanding mandatory driver education to ages up to 24 would require major growth in the instructor industry and urged a phased approach, targeted funding, instructor training and pilots to boost access in underserved areas.","actionData","errors"]

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Traffic Safety Commission reports record‑high recent fatalities, unveils Target Zero update and pilots to boost enforcement and interlock use

State study urges phased expansion of driver education, funding to fix ‘driver education deserts’